Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Give me thy hand.
[Here he ascendeth his throne]Thus high, by thy advice
2585And thy assistance, is King Richard seated;
But shall we wear these honours for a day?
Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them?

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). O bitter consequence,
That Edward still should live! 'True, noble prince!'
Cousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull:
2600Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead;
And I would have it suddenly perform'd.
What sayest thou? speak suddenly; be brief.

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I will converse with iron-witted fools
And unrespective boys: none are for me
That look into me with considerate eyes:
2615High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.
Boy!

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I partly know the man: go, call him hither.
[Exit Page]The deep-revolving witty Buckingham
No more shall be the neighbour to my counsel:
2630Hath he so long held out with me untired,
And stops he now for breath?
[Enter STANLEY]How now! what news with you?

Sir William Stanley. My lord, I hear the Marquis Dorset's fled
2635To Richmond, in those parts beyond the sea
Where he abides.

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Rumour it abroad
That Anne, my wife, is sick and like to die:
I will take order for her keeping close.
Inquire me out some mean-born gentleman,
Whom I will marry straight to Clarence' daughter:
2645The boy is foolish, and I fear not him.
Look, how thou dream'st! I say again, give out
That Anne my wife is sick and like to die:
About it; for it stands me much upon,
To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me.
2650[Exit CATESBY]I must be married to my brother's daughter,
Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass.
Murder her brothers, and then marry her!
Uncertain way of gain! But I am in
2655So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin:
Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.
[Re-enter Page, with TYRREL]Is thy name Tyrrel?

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, there thou hast it: two deep enemies,
Foes to my rest and my sweet sleep's disturbers
Are they that I would have thee deal upon:
Tyrrel, I mean those bastards in the Tower.

Sir James Tyrrel. Let me have open means to come to them,
2670And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them.

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Thou sing'st sweet music. Hark, come hither, Tyrrel
Go, by this token: rise, and lend thine ear:
[Whispers]There is no more but so: say it is done,
2675And I will love thee, and prefer thee too.

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Richmond! When last I was at Exeter,
The mayor in courtesy show'd me the castle,
And call'd it Rougemont: at which name I started,
Because a bard of Ireland told me once
I should not live long after I saw Richmond.
2705